After a total sale of 280 units, mostly for genset applications and propulsion of coastal tankers and general cargo vessels, this is the first tractor tug application for the 1,000 rpm L21/31 engine design.

Construction of the tug has started at the Italian shipyard Rosetti Marino SpA, Ravenna, for the Livorno-based Neri Group.

The propulsion engines will be delivered from Denmark for installation at the yard during the month of August.

The tractor tug is scheduled to be delivered to the owner around the end of the year.

Fratelli Neri SpA, owns and operates a large fleet of various tugs, supply vessels, floating cranes and barges, from various locations along the Italian east coast.

Each nine-cylinder L21/31 engine is specified to an MCR rating of 2025 kW, and will drive a Schottel controllable pitch (SRP) rudder propeller unit. Additionally, the engines will each power an Advance/Asug gearbox, driving hydraulics and firefighting pumps, via a front-end PTO.